Wednesday, November 12, 2008

On Fri, Nov. 14, Alameda High School students will be performing a production of The Laramie Project which was originally going to be picketed by Fred Phelps of the "God Hates Fags" group.

They were trying to get as many people there to show support for the students and hopefully act as a buffer against the kids being further traumatized by that group's despicable tactics.

Apparently the Westboro Baptist Church has canceled their appearance in order to protest in Hawaii instead. Word has it that a candlelight vigil in support of the students will still occur. They are asking people to arrive around 6-6:15 PM. Alameda High is located at 2201 Encinal Ave, Alameda, CA 94501.

Phelps, I suggest you not even waste your time picketing our wonderful high school in Alameda. In the classic words of that great musical, Hairspray, "You can't stop the motion in the ocean or the sun in the sky." We're here to STAY!

The Alameda Police Department has confirmed the Westboro Baptist Church WILL NOT be at Alameda High School on Friday, 11/14/08. Please pass this information on the the local and regional LGBT communities.

I just telephoned Capt. Brock of the Alameda Police department directly. This is the official word:

According to the Phelps', they are *NOT* coming to Alameda, but instead are going directly to Hawaii to protest at the funeral of President Elect Obama's grandmother.

Captain Brock took this all very seriously, making numerous phone calls to the Topeka Kansas police dept and the Westboro Baptist Church itself. He also met with local Alameda LGBT groups.

Captain Brock assured me there will be a police presence tomorrow night and that they are also organizing a candle-light vigil in support of the students, the local LGBT community and Matthew Shepherd.

Hope this helps. If you have any other specific questions I can answer, just let me know.

Yes, I just received an e-mail from the organizers, Million Gay March, and they ARE going to be there REGARDLESS. If no Phelps, then there will be a candlelight vigil in support of the students, Matthew, and all whom the Phelps group has harmed. That way, even if this is a ruse, we'll be there anyway, so COME AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE KIDS!

there is just something about the sudden change in plans, that i do not agree with.what some people do not know, including the alameda police, is that the hate group (as i will not dignify them with any correct noun) has several groups going to several different places on the same day. the protest in hawaii was planned in advance and not as a stand in for the alameda protest. from what i have seen and read, they are still anticipating going to a.h.s. and making fools of themselves in front of children (not adults that know how to stand up for themselves, but children that are only guilty of performing in their drama department). i have no patience for these people and would never dignify them by attending however, i will be there tonight to support my children's schoolmates.